Eddie Vedder’s new song with young people from Guitars Over Guns marks the opening of the Obama Center
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder participated in the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, being accompanied on stage by the talented members of the Guitars Over Guns collective.
Alongside the promising artists of the mentoring project, Vedder performed a joint original composition, entitled “Better Believe”, the result of a notable musical partnership.
The musical number culminated in a significant interaction with the audience, who echoed the phrase “We believe”, while former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama applauded and sang the melody in unison.
The recording of the track had the essential support of sound arts students and alumni from Columbia College Chicago, and all profits generated from the sale of the song will be fully donated to the entity. This initiative not only promotes young talent, but also ensures the continuity of a vital program that directly aligns with the Obama Center’s purpose of community empowerment.
The connection between the parties is not recent; In 2023, then-President Obama visited the “Guitars Over Guns” studio on the South Side, shortly after the organization received a $15,000 grant from the Obama Foundation.
Currently, Guitars Over Guns extends its services with free music lessons and mentoring programs, reaching young people in several cities, including Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.
